U.S. patent number 6,510,967 [Application Number 09/343,015] was granted by the patent office on 2003-01-28 for ergonomic aerosol dispensing system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Chase Products Company. Invention is credited to Ronald F. DeSimone.
United States Patent |
6,510,967 |
DeSimone |
January 28, 2003 |
Ergonomic aerosol dispensing system
Abstract
An aerosol dispensing system includes a metal cylindrical can
having a plurality of wide and narrow recesses in an upper
undulating portion and a smooth walled lower portion. A plastic
spray dome snap-fits over the top of the metal can and includes a
trigger actuator movable against a valve assembly for releasing
concentrate and propellant maintained under pressure within the
can. The annular recesses are ergonomically located to fit the
thumb and fingers of the hand when the index finger is located on
the actuator. The annular recesses are preferably recessed into the
otherwise straight-walled can but can take a variety of other
shapes.
Inventors: |
DeSimone; Ronald F. (Broadview,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Chase Products Company
(Maywood, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
23344323 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/343,015 |
Filed: |
June 29, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/206 (20130101); B65D 83/38 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/14 (20060101); B65D 83/16 (20060101); B65D
083/52 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/402.1,402.13,394,383,635 ;220/755,672 ;215/382,384
;D9/502,530,538 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sough; Hyung-Sub
Assistant Examiner: Bui; Thach H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jenner & Block, LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An aerosol dispenser comprising: an aerosol container having a
cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall sealed to the side wall, and a
top wall sealed to the side wall, a valve assembly located in the
top wall and movable to release a mixture storable under pressure
within the aerosol container, an actuator mechanism located above
the valve assembly for receiving an index finger of a user's hand
in order to activate the valve assembly to create an aerosol spray,
and a plurality of annular surfaces in an upper portion of the
cylindrical side wall and located to receive fingers and/or a thumb
of the user's hand when the index finger is on the actuator
mechanism in order to create an ergonomic grip for the user's
hand.
2. The aerosol dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical side
wall consists of an undulating upper portion including the
plurality of annular surfaces and a smooth lower portion having a
straight cylindrical wall.
3. The aerosol dispenser of claim 2 wherein one of the plurality of
annular surfaces are located in a range of three inches to four
inches below the actuator mechanism.
4. The aerosol dispenser of claim 2 including a dip tube having a
length greater than the upper portion and extending from the valve
assemble to a bottom location in the container adjacent to the
straight cylindrical wall.
5. The aerosol dispenser of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces include a first plurality of wide recesses in the
upper portion of the cylindrical side wall and a second plurality
of narrow recesses in a transition region extending between the
wide recesses and a straight walled lower portion of the
cylindrical side wall.
6. The aerosol dispenser of claim 5 wherein the first plurality of
wide recesses comprise at least three recesses alternately arranged
with raised ridges located therebetween, and the second plurality
of recesses comprise at least two narrow recesses positioned in the
transition region.
7. The aerosol dispenser of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces includes a first plurality of wide recesses in the
cylindrical wall and at least one transition recess, said
transition recess being spaced farther from the valve assembly than
the first plurality of wide recesses and being depressed less than
the first plurality of wide recesses.
8. The aerosol dispenser of claim 1 including a spray dome having
snap-fit ridges secured to a bead between the top wall and the side
wall, and the actuator mechanism comprises a movable trigger
located above the valve assembly and having a rear hinge connected
to the spray dome so that depression of the trigger will activate
the valve assembly.
9. The aerosol dispenser of claim 1 wherein the uppermost of the
plurality of annular surfaces are located in a range from 1.5
inches to 2.5 inches below the actuator mechanism.
10. An aerosol dispenser comprising: a pressurized container of
generally cylindrical shape having a wavy upper section formed by
an undulating side wall and a smooth lower section formed by a
straight side wall, a bottom wall sealed to the smooth lower
section of the container and capable of withstanding a mixture
under pressure, a valve assembly sealed to the upper section of the
container and capable of withstanding a mixture under pressure,
including an actuator for opening the valve assembly to create an
aerosol spray, the undulating side wall being formed by a plurality
of annular surfaces surrounding the upper section and having a
width and depth to receive fingers and/or a thumb of a user's hand
to create an ergonomic grip for the user's hand.
11. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 wherein at least one of the
annular surfaces is spaced in a range from two inches to four
inches from the actuator.
12. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 wherein the container is
metal of thin rectangular shape which is formed into a cylindrical
shape and closed along an elongated seam which extends the length
of the upper and lower sections to thereby seal the container.
13. The aerosol dispenser of claim 12 wherein the metal is steel on
the order of 0.007 inches to 0.009 inches in thickness.
14. The aerosol dispenser of claim 12 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces include a series of concave annular recesses
located in the wavy upper section of the metal side wall.
15. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces comprise a first plurality of wide recesses formed
in the metal side wall and a second plurality of narrow recesses
formed in the metal side wall to form a transition section between
the wide recesses and the straight side wall forming the smooth
lower section.
16. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 including a spray dome having
snap-fit connection to an end portion of the upper section of the
container, the spray dome including a movable trigger which
depresses the actuator in order to open the valve assembly.
17. The aerosol dispenser of claim 16 wherein the spray dome is
formed of plastic and has an opening aligned with the valve
assembly for allowing the aerosol spray to pass through the spray
dome.
18. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces comprise concave recesses which extend inwardly
from a cylindrical plane of the smooth lower section.
19. The aerosol dispenser of claim 10 wherein the plurality of
annular surfaces comprise convex bulges which extend outwardly from
a cylindrical plane of the smooth lower section.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an aerosol dispensing system having a
pressurized container which stores propellant and concentrate, and
more particularly to an ergonomic aerosol dispenser for minimizing
repetitive task injuries and for improved handling
capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aerosol dispensing systems typically consist of a cylindrical metal
container having straight walls of sufficient strength and rigidity
to store a concentrate and propellant which are under pressure. A
plastic spray dome covers and activates a valve to initiate the
flow of concentrate and propellant which mix and disburse in an
aerosol spray. Such aerosol dispensers can conveniently and safely
disburse a variety of chemical compositions including paint,
insecticide, and cleaning compounds. Some aerosol dispensers are
used for industrial applications such as cleaning chemicals, in
which the users are repetitively using the aerosol dispenser
throughout the day. Extended periods of use of ordinary aerosol
dispensers can create symptoms similar to repetitive task injuries.
Furthermore, aerosol dispensers for both industrial and consumer
use can be difficult to aim accurately and utilize in a convenient
manner, particularly when the user is wearing gloves.
Plastic molded containers are known for beverage and other uses and
which utilize a wide variety of shaped containers having
depressions, ribs, and gripping surfaces for improved grip and
retention by the human hand. Furthermore, there are a variety of
cylindrical metal containers for food products which are vacuumed
packed and which have ribs or depressions for strength and which
assist in gripping and lifting the container, such as metal coffee
cans. Such technology has not been applied to nor is it readily
adaptable to the requirements of pressurized aerosol
dispensers.
Typical pressurized aerosol containers consist of a steel or metal
can of smooth cylindrical shape. Separate metal bottom and top
walls, and a valve assembly, create a sealed and pressurized
container capable of withstanding the initial pressure and repeated
pressure fluctuations while dispensing of the aerosol contents. For
cost and strength considerations, the typical aerosol container is
formed of a rectangular piece of thin steel which is rolled and
welded along an elongated seam. Such containers are more difficult
to shape than plastic blow molded parts. Additional considerations
beyond strength and durability include the ability to lithograph or
print product information and advertising on substantially the
entire can.
Other aerosol containers are known including aluminum cans which
are more adaptable to some shaping of the top and bottom surfaces.
Also known are glass aerosol bottles, and plastic aerosol
containers which can be fabricated and shaped, particularly with a
variety of molded neck shapes for gripping and aesthetic
considerations. However, cost and content considerations, including
compatibility problems with the chemical compositions inside the
container, reduce the desirability of aluminum and non-metal
aerosol containers. Furthermore, aerosol dispensers in general have
not been recognized as needing ergonomic design as would reduce
repetitive stress injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to aerosol dispensing systems which
store concentrate and propellant under pressure, and which are
ergonomically designed so as to overcome the disadvantages of
conventional aerosol dispensers. The invention has particular
utility with steel or metal aerosol cans which store and repeatedly
release content under pressure.
More particularly, the present invention includes a plurality of
annular recesses formed in a cylindrical aerosol metal can and
which are located near the valve assembly. The location and spacing
are ergonomically selected such that a user may hold the dispenser
and repeatedly activate the release with an index finger of the
hand with reduced repetitive stress. Furthermore, the ergonomic
recesses improve the ability to grip and comfortably hold the
aerosol can in use. This is particularly desirable for aerosol
dispensers used in industrial applications, as well as industrial
and consumer applications where the contents are heavy and/or the
can may slip in use, and/or in which a gloved hand reduces tactile
feedback.
The advantages of the invention are adaptable to pressurized
aerosol dispensing systems without adversely impacting the printing
area for the can. The dispensing system permits essentially the
entire cylindrical container to contain printing and graphic
information and creates a commercially attractive aerosol
dispensing system. The system is particularly adaptable to steel
cans or other metal containers which are rolled and welded along a
longitudinal seam and are mated with plastic spray dome.
One object of the present invention is to provide a pressurized
aerosol dispensing system which incorporates ergonomic shapes to
reduce the risk of repetitive task injury and to provide a surer
grip which can compensate for reduced sensory input.
Another object is to provide aerosol dispensers particularly useful
for industrial applications and consumer applications involving
harsh chemicals in which users may wear plastic gloves. The use of
a gloved hand reduces the gripping ability on the aerosol container
due to reduced sensory input to the user. The invention improves
the ability to grip a metal aerosol can by use of a gloved
hand.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description with reference to the
attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an
ergonomic aerosol dispensing system being held by a user,
FIG. 2 shows a side view, partly in section, of the aerosol
dispensing system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a second embodiment for the
aerosol dispensing system;
FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the aerosol can for a third
embodiment of the aerosol dispensing system; and
FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a fourth embodiment of the aerosol
dispensing system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a novel ergonomic
aerosol dispensing system 20. The aerosol dispenser consist of a
metal container or can 22 formed of a thin rectangular steel sheet
which is rolled into a cylindrical shape and is welded along an
elongated seam 24, see FIG. 2. Essentially the entire external
surface of the resulting metal cylinder (other than the elongated
welded seam 24) can be lithographic or printed with product and
advertising content before being welded along seam 24. The open top
and open bottom are both of reduced diameter, i.e. are known as a
"necked-in" can. A concave metal can base 26 is crimped at its edge
to form a bottom bead 28 or curl which forms a pressure seal. A
metal top dome 30 is crimped at its edge to form a top bead 32 or
curl to form a pressure seal. While the top bead 32 and bottom bead
28 are indented slightly from the cylindrical wall to produce a
"necked-in" can, a conventional "straight-sided" can can be formed
if desired.
A valve assembly 36 is crimped to the top dome 30. The valve
assembly 36 includes a valve button 38 which movably rests on a
valve stem 40 which is fixedly secured within a housing 46. A
gasket 42 is located beneath the valve stem, and a cylindrical
spring 44 is tensioned upwardly against the gasket. At the bottom
of the valve housing 46 is secured a hollow dip tube 48 which
extends downwardly and has a bottom opening 50 near the can base
26.
The aerosol dispenser 20 is capable of holding a mixture of
concentrate and liquid propellant 52 which is under pressure. The
concentrate can be paint, insecticide, cleaning chemicals or the
like. Vaporized propellant 54 is released into the top space above
the liquid propellant and concentrate 52, and creates downward
pressure on the liquid propellant and concentrate 52.
The valve housing 46 is crimped to a metal carrier 56 which in turn
is crimped to the top dome 30. The result is a sealed, pressurized
container which retains the concentrate and liquid propellant until
the valve assembly is activated for use. The gasket 42 prevents the
flow of concentrate and liquid propellant by sealing the valve stem
40 at the orifice and the shoulder regions of the assembly.
When a user causes the button 38 to be depressed, the button moves
downwardly against the tension of the spring 44. The gasket 42
flexes and exposes the orifice of the valve stem 40 to the interior
of the dip tube 48. As a result, the concentrate and liquid
propellant 52 is forced through the bottom opening 50 and upwardly
through the hollow dip tube 48. The concentrate and liquid
propellant is mixed in the valve assembly 36 and forced through
interior passages 58 in the button 38 and are released as an
aerosol spray 60, see FIG. 1.
A plastic spray dome 70, which can be of one piece or two piece
construction and formed of polypropylene material, is snap fit to
the top of the metal can 22. The dome 70 forms a cap or cover which
remains on the dispenser during use. A series of ridges 71 around
the bottom of the dome snap-fit over the necked-in beads 32 to
retain the dome against the can 22. The dome 70 includes a trigger
actuator 72 attached by a hinge 74 at its rear base to allow
vertical movement of the trigger actuator. The trigger actuator 72
includes a bottom cup 76 which captures the button 38 and forces
the button 38 downwardly as the trigger actuator 72 is depressed
downwardly by the index finger or thumb of the user as seen in FIG.
1. This opens the valve assembly 36 so that the aerosol spray 60
escapes through a circular aperture 80 located in the spray dome
70.
While use of a spray dome 70 is generally preferred, the spray dome
70 can be eliminated and the user can directly depress the valve
button 38 by the index finger or thumb. In such a system, a plastic
cap (not illustrated) is snap-fit over the top bead 32 to protect
the button 38 from accidental depression during storage. The cap is
removed by the user before use of the dispenser. Either version of
the aerosol dispenser can be utilized with the present
invention.
The aerosol metal can 22 preferably has a wavy upper section having
an undulating side wall, and a smooth lower section formed by a
straight wall. The upper section includes a plurality of annular
surfaces such as concave recesses near the valve 38 and/or the
actuator 72 of the spray dome 70. In particular, a first series of
wide annular concave recesses 90 are followed by a second plurality
of narrow annular concave recesses 92. The annular recesses 90 and
92 preferably extend inwardly from the cylindrical plane of the
smooth and straight-sided cylindrical wall of the lower section of
the can 22. The plurality of recesses 90 and 92 are selected, as
will be explained, to allow the aerosol dispenser 20 to be
ergonomically held in the hand for both gripping and dispensing
purposes. The width and depth of the wide annular recesses 90 are
selected to conform to and mate with the human thumb and fingers
for a comfortable grip when held as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
narrow annular recesses 92 create a transition zone between the
series of wide recesses 90 and the smooth bottom portion of the
can. The transition zone 92 is aesthetically pleasing and in
addition provide an additional gripping surface although not as
deep or wide as the annular recesses 90.
The hollow dip tube 48 preferably extends downwardly past the wavy
upper section and into the smooth lower section formed by the
straight side wall 114. The opening 50 is near the bottom wall 26
so most of the concentrate will be disbursed in the form of the
aerosol spray 60.
The aerosol dispensing system 20 as seen in FIG. 1 allows an index
finger 102 of a human hand 100 to rest against the trigger actuator
72 (or against the valve button 38 in the event that a spray dome
70 is not utilized). When so located, a thumb 104 and another
finger 106 are located within the topmost annular recess 90 to
firmly grip the can. The remaining fingers 108 and 110 can rest
within the second and third of the wide recesses 90, or
alternatively, can extend somewhat further down to the transition
recesses 92.
Between the plurality of recesses 90 and 92 are a series of ridges
112 which are coaxial with the smooth-walled bottom cylinder 114.
The ridges correspond to the portions of the cylindrical can wall
which were not pressed inwardly to create the series of concave
annular depressions 90 and 92. The height of the can 22 will vary,
and various heights are standard in the industry. The annular
recesses 90 and 92 preferably encircle the entire can 22. This
ensures that the aerosol dispenser can be gripped conveniently at
any location, and does not have to oriented in a particular
manner.
To form the can, a thin, flat rectangle of metal is formed. The
material may be steel of about 0.00825 inches in thickness and can
range from about 0.007 inches to about 0.009 inches in thickness.
The exterior side of the metal rectangle strip can be lithographic
or otherwise printed with product content and advertising. Then,
the flat sheet is rolled or formed into a cylinder which abuts
along the longitudinal seam 24, which is then welded closed. Next,
a mold can be inserted into the hollow interior of the cylindrical
can. The mold has annular recesses corresponding to the locations
of the annular depressions 90 and 92, and external pressure is
applied so as to deform the can wall to create the concave
depressions 90, 92. The ridges 112 represent the original smooth
can wall before being deformed, and are coaxial with the lower
portion of the smooth wall 114.
Gloves may be used to protect the hands from the chemical contents
of certain aerosol dispensers. However, the gloves effectively
dampen the sensory perception loop, and while protecting the hand
from paint or harsh chemicals, can reduce the human sensory
perception below the level required to maintain an assured grip.
The ergonomic recesses 90, 92 increase the gain to the human
sensory loop. In addition, persons with sensory limitations, such
as those with arthritis, nerve damage, or environmentally stressed
tissue, will also benefit from a surer grip on the can.
The locations for the plurality of annular depressions 90 and 92
will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. A length "a" extends
from a resting surface for the index finger (e.g., the upper
surface of the trigger actuator 72) to the can top at the necked-in
bead 32. A length "b" extends from the beaded top to the center
line for the first or topmost annular wide recess 90. Lengths "c"
and "d" extend to the center lines of the second and third wide
recesses 90. A length "e" further extends to the center line of the
first narrow recess 92 located in the transition zone. Finally, a
length "f" extends from that location to the center line of the
last narrow recess 92 before the smooth lower cylinder wall
114.
As an example, the lengths in inches for these locations for one
exemplary embodiment are given in the following Table 1.
TABLE 1 Ref Length a 1.875 b 1.125 c 0.563 d 0.563 e 0.453 f
0.313
In this exemplary embodiment, the width 120 of each of the wide
concave recesses 90 was approximately 0.375 inches. The widths 122
of each of the narrow recesses 92 was approximately 0.1875
inches.
The distance between the resting position of the index finger 102
on the actuator and the first wide recess 90 is important to
properly fit an average human hand 100. This distance corresponds
to the sum of the lengths "a" and "b," and generally should be on
the order of 2.8125 to 2.875 inches. These dimensions were selected
by measuring a variety of human hands to determine some "nominal"
or typical dimensions for an adult hand. It will be appreciated,
however, that the human hand varies and there is no specific set of
dimensions which are ideal for all circumstances. The outer
diameter of the aerosol can 22 is generally in the range of 2 to 3
inches.
In one exemplary embodiment, the can 22 for the Table 1 dimensions
was a 211.times.604 can (using the industry standard in which the
first digit represents whole inches and the last two digits
represents 1/16 inch increments), i.e., a can having a diameter of
2 and 11/16 inches and a length from the top bead 32 to the bottom
bead 28 of 6 and 4/16 inches. It will be appreciated that the
length of the lower smooth section of the can may be any length as
desired.
In general, the actuator will be on the order of 1.5 inches to 2.5
inches above the center of the topmost wide recess 90. In some
embodiments, this length will correspond to the top of the trigger
surface 72 of the spray dome. In other versions, this length will
correspond to the top of the valve button 38 when no spray dome 70
is utilized.
Another embodiment of the ergonomic aerosol dispenser is seen in
FIG. 3, in which like reference numerals and characters refer to
like parts. The aerosol dispenser is of the same type as
illustrated in FIG. 2, except that the undulating upper section
consists of a first plurality of wide concave recesses 90' and a
second plurality of narrow transition concave recesses 92' have
somewhat different shapes and locations. In the FIG. 3 embodiment,
the three wide recesses 90' are wider and deeper so that the
fingers and thumb will better grip the recesses. Also, the ridges
112' between the annular recesses are not all of equal extent, and
create a more pronounced series of annular recesses for the hand.
By way of example, representative lengths in inches for the various
dimensions shown in FIG. 3 are indicated in the following Table
2.
TABLE 2 Ref Length a' 1.8750 b' 1.3125 c' 0.6250 d' 0.6250 e'
0.4375 f' 0.2500
While certain preferred embodiments use at least three wide
recesses for the fingers and two or more transition recesses of
narrower shape, some of the advantages of the invention can be
accomplished with other configurations.
In FIG. 4, the metal can 22 has been shaped to have outward bulges
or beads 120 which are convex and extend outwardly from the
otherwise smooth lower cylinder wall 114. Between the beads 120 are
a series of recesses 122 which are shallow, and may be coaxial with
the smooth lower wall 114. Furthermore, it is not essential that
the wide recesses all be of the same extent. It is desirable for
the topmost recess to hold the thumb 104 and/or first finger 106
after the index finger, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The annular
recesses extending towards the bottom of the can become
progressively somewhat less essential, and can be formed of
different shapes. A variety of configurations are possible provided
that the strength and integrity of the pressurized aerosol can is
maintained when considering the variations in pressure which will
exist during use.
FIG. 5 illustrate a still further embodiment in which a plurality
of annular recesses 126 are generally of equal extent in the upper
wavy section until reaching the lower smooth wall 114 of the can.
In this embodiment, the transition ridges 128 are generally of
equal length to the annular recesses 126. Thus, the recesses and
ridges are generally uniform in extent. While this embodiment lacks
the advantage of wide annular recesses sufficient to mate with the
thumb and fingers, it nonetheless is an improvement over
conventional metal aerosol cans and provides improved gripping
ability. It also has improved slip resistance even for a gloved
hand as compared with standard metal aerosol cans.
Further modifications and variations in the invention will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *